Not Crazy, just BiPolar(Your Input Welcome)

[treeguy347]

Check into possibly getting a stump grinder attachment for the Bobcat. You could save the cost of buying two machines. Also, Loflin Fabrication makes a very tough grapple for moving anything you can fit in it. For the skidsteer itself, if you want minimal turf damage, check out the A300 it's able to do all-wheel steer, and will fit big turf tires. If you'd like extremely easy (much better than Bobcat) controls, the ability to go darn near anywhere, great stability and low grond pressure, check out the Takeuchi TL130. The 130 will fit all Bobcat attachments.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Then sub yourself out in winter for snow removal

You can make more money with a midsized self propelled stump grinder, having a skidder w/o the work there can be an albatross around your neck.

Look into something like the Rayco 50hrs or if you have the money the tracked Vermeer. They make quick work of big stumps that others want to walk away from. You can get into tighter places wih the SP grinders then the skidders w/o the turf damage.

Then if you can make a go at the buisness you get a small loader to do debris removal and backfill.

IMO if you are going to do a number of stumps a week, go for the horse power. The bigger machine will pay for itself in your time and effort.

 

[Greg]

I have 60+ yr old man do all my stumps. He does this for a bunch of guys in town and keeps very busy. He ony does stumps that he can back his pick up to (someone else does the backyards). He is so cheap and hassel free I would never even consider buying a grinder. I pay him a minm of $15, but usually up to a 30" pine (softwood) for about $20. I charge the customer $50. I have never even been there when he does the work, I call, he comes, he calls back to tell me how much I owe him, I mail him a check.
Greg

 

[murphy4trees]

I wouldn't touch a 30" pine stump for less than $150... and everything stays where is.. that's just for the grinding.
God Bless,
Daniel

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

30 inch pine in the front yard that a big towbehind could back too would be around $100.

How much would a 5 ft willow in the backyard be?

 

[Greg]

I've never seen a 5' willow, but a hardwood in that size range would cost about $150-$175 MAX. In the back yard assuming that the fence does not have to come down. Everything does stay, just a quick rake into the hole. For those $pecial customers I go back and flatten out the mound by moving some chips to bushes, etc.. Lots of stump guys around here working way too cheap.

 

[Stumper]

In a lot of areas Greg. Sadly, A lot of guys who have worked at hourly wages their whole lives get a piece of equipment for a sideline and go to work with out a real understanding of business. They think that grossing $ 30-$40 per hour while on the job is really making money. Beside the fact that depreciation, fuel, parts, maintenance and travel time are eating up their money very few of them put things into perspective-Here is a job which a laborer with hand tools might take several days to complete. Heavy equipment would requre tearing up half the yard, leaves an expensive disposal problem and the owner/ operators have a four hour mininmum charge(at $35 -$50 per hour). When I come along to remove this 30"diameter stump for $125 the customer is getting a tremendous financial bargain with minimum hassle. The time it takes me to do the job has NO relevance to its worth.( I know that it actually does-for me though, not the customer.)

Occassionally, someone will say something about "$125 , and it took you less than an hour. I point out that there are a lot of expenses involved and that I seldom get to operate that specialized equipment in one place for very many consecutive hours (and I discount things for those jobs)t then I add an an analogy." The dentist charges $90 for a tooth extraction. Which would please you more-for him to "make" $10 per minute or $10 per hour?"

Happily most people are just thrilled to have it gone and "man having the right equipment makes all the difference!".

 

[Jumper]

Well put...........

I am amazed at the number of people that are willing (or desperate enough) to sell themselves short. Like Forrest and his $10 trees. Another good example around here are employers who expect a prospective worker to provide a vehicle gratis for a lousy <$10 hour.